Granted Patent B1

US 10,469,280 · App. 16/042,242 · Granted Nov 5, 2019

Abstract

Claims (61)

1. A method for security and/or automation systems, comprising:

detecting departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and a premises;

identifying a likelihood of an absence in relation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data, the absence comprising the premises being unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period;

performing a system status update on a periodic basis;

detecting an anomaly related to the security and/or the automation systems during the system status update;

sending the system status update in response to detecting the anomaly with an option to generate a virtual key;

generating a virtual key to enable entry of the premises during the absence in response to receipt of permission from the occupant; and

sending the virtual key to a designated user.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the likelihood of the absence is based at least in part on a current travel pattern of the occupant, the current travel pattern including at least one of a location, or a route, or a direction of travel, or a distance from the premises, or an elapsed time since departure, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , comprises:

sending the virtual key to a designated user scheduled to update the system.

4. The method of claim 1 , comprises:

sending a notification to the occupant regarding a designated user receiving the virtual key.

5. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

receiving a request from a designated user for the virtual key.

6. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

initiating an adjustment of at least one aspect of a lighting system, or a climate control system, or a security system, or an appliance control system, or a combination thereof, based at least in part on the absence.

7. The method of claim 1 , comprises:

sending a notification to the occupant regarding a designated user using the virtual key.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein scheduling one or more system status updates further comprises:

automatically scheduling the one or more system status updates.

9. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

sending a reminder to a designated user,

wherein the reminder relates to at least one of mail pickup, or garbage collection, or lawn care, or premises inspection, or the virtual key, or a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein scheduling one or more system status updates further comprises:

generating the virtual key automatically to a designated user in response to an emergency.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual key comprises:

a numerical password, a key word to be entered, a key word to be spoken, a symbol, a QR code to be scanned, a phrase, or combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual key comprises:

a wirelessly transmitted code.

13. An apparatus for an automation system, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to:

detect departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and a premises;

identify a likelihood of an absence in relation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data, the absence comprising the premises being unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period;

perform a system status update on a periodic basis;

detect an anomaly related to the security and/or the automation systems during the system status update;

send the system status update in response to detecting the anomaly with an option to generate a virtual key;

generate a virtual key to enable entry of the premises during the absence in response to receipt of permission from the occupant; and

send the virtual key to a designated user.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the instructions being executable by the processor to:

send the virtual key to a designated user scheduled to update the system.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , the instructions being executable by the processor to:

receive a request from a designated user for the virtual key.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , the instructions being executable by the processor to:

send a notification to the occupant regarding a designated user receiving the virtual key.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the instructions being executable by the processor to:

send a notification to the occupant regarding a designated user using the virtual key.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 , the instructions being executable by the processor to:

generate the virtual key automatically to a designated user in response to an emergency.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the virtual key comprises:

a wirelessly transmitted code.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code for an automation system, the code executable by a processor to:

detect departure data relating to at least one of an occupant and a premises;

identify a likelihood of an absence in relation to the premises based at least in part on the departure data, the absence comprising the premises being unoccupied for at least a portion of a predetermined time period;

perform a system status update on a periodic basis;

detect an anomaly related to the security and/or the automation systems during the system status update;

send the system status update in response to detecting the anomaly with an option to generate a virtual key;

generate a virtual key to enable entry of the premises during the absence in response to receipt of permission from the occupant; and

send the virtual key to a designated user.

Assignments (8)